College artists going wild to show works work

ART students from Burton and South Derbyshire College are set to exhibit some of their works at a wildlife and nature roadshow.

The youngsters look set to provide work for a new gallery at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, based in West Street, Swadlincote, to coincide with the arrival of the 2020VISION event in March.

The students’ work will reflect South Derbyshire’s motto ‘The Earth Our Wealth’, and complements the theme of the 2020VISION exhibition, which is to celebrate large-scale conservation and regeneration projects which benefit wildlife and people.

Chris Beech, programme area manager for visual arts at the college, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the students, and a perfect way to display their work alongside top professional wildlife and landscape photographers.

“We will be exploring images of The National Forest through its historic amalgam of agriculture, heavy industry, mining and clay works to the woodland which shapes the landscape today.

“It is a stunning transformation, and the students’ work will bring an extra dimension to the messages inherent in the 2020VISION project.”

The roadshow features a street gallery exhibition displaying more than 100 images from across the country.

Sophie Churchill, chief executive of The National Forest Company, said: “The National Forest is very proud of the talents of its young people.

2020VISION sent 20 of the UK’s top wildlife photographers to 20 locations – including The National Forest – over 20 months to capture images of landscapes that show the value of restoring natural habitats.

The National Forest was selected as an ‘outstanding’ example of regeneration.

The college exhibition will begin on March 18 and will run until April 29.

The 2020VISION exhibition is on display from March 18 to April 7 before moving to Calke Abbey, in Ticknall, from April 10.

More information is available by visitingwww.visitnationalforest.uk/2020vision or by calling 01283 222848.